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It includes increasing public funding for energy efficiency, a move towards regulation of efficiency measures in the private sector and a specific target for every home to reach at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart (Image: PA)

Figures published in December revealed almost no change in fuel poverty levels – defined as a household being required to spend more than 10 per cent of its income on fuel to maintain satisfactory heating.

EHA chairman Alan Ferguson said: “It is a national shame there are 845,000 households in Scotland in fuel poverty

“It is disappointing that Scotland will miss the target, which the Government have now acknowledged.

“We strongly encourage ministers to use the remaining three months to develop new plans that redouble efforts to tackle the scourge of fuel poverty.”